My new 1916 SHt LE III Looks MINT

[Brian Dick]

Just a guess but I'd say it's been Parkerized and restored with new wood since it left military service. It just doesn't sport the FTR markings that would give it provenance as a legit FTR rifle. The Australians distinctly marked their FTR rifles as shown in another post here on this forum. If it was a post WWII British FTR by either Enfield or BSA in the 1950's it would be well marked and also painted and baked with Suncorite 259. If it was a John Jovino restoration, it would surely be stocked in Australian coachwood as they had loads of it. The replacement wood on this rifle appears to be the new British wood that's been offered on the civvie market for the past several years. I'm just speculating but I've seen a few and done a few too over the years. At any rate, the serials match and if the forend is fitted properly, it should shoot well for you.